More than $26,000 raised for Q-C pancreatic cancer help

More than $10,000 has been raised in honor of the late Dr. Brent Ohl for pancreatic cancer patients in the Quad-Cities.

In 2016, Ohl was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and died at 48 years old. He practiced anesthesiology with Western Illinois Anesthesiology at UnityPoint Health–Trinity.

After his death, his wife, Peggy, created the Dr. Brent Ohl Strong Pancreatic Cancer Support Endowment through the Trinity Health Foundation. More than $10,000 was raised for the endowment at a single event, providing support for families' non-medical expenses, such as meal vouchers, fuel vouchers and reimbursement for hotel/motel accommodations.

“After going through it and seeing the devastation, I just felt I wanted to do something for people locally and I wanted to be able to help them," said Peggy Ohl. "It happens so fast you don’t even have time to think about what you’re doing and apply for help."

To date, more than $26,700 has been raised to help local pancreatic cancer patients and their families.

“In the Quad-Cities, specifically Scott and Rock Island Counties combined, there are on average 50 cases of pancreatic cancer diagnosed each year," said Alison Beardsley, director of oncology services. "And each year as many as 50 people die of the disease in these counties."

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